Jesus Christ is the central figure of Christianity and undoubtedly one of the most significant people in human history. Jesus’ life and ministry are documented in the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. By examining these biblical accounts, we can piece together a timeline of the major events in Jesus’ life.
Jesus’ Birth and Early Life
According to Luke 2:1-7, Jesus was born in Bethlehem during the reign of King Herod the Great. Scholars believe Herod died in 4 BC, so Jesus was likely born between 6-4 BC. The Gospel of Matthew adds that Jesus was born during the time of Mary and Joseph’s betrothal. In Jewish custom, betrothal lasted about a year before the marriage was consummated. After the betrothal period, Joseph and Mary came together as husband and wife and conceived Jesus (Matthew 1:18).
So Jesus was born through the virgin Mary sometime in 6-4 BC in Bethlehem. Shepherds visited the newborn king shortly after his birth (Luke 2:8-20). Later, Magi from the east arrived sometime after Jesus’ birth, up to two years later (Matthew 2:1-12). King Herod ordered the massacre of all boys under two in Bethlehem in an attempt to kill the infant Jesus (Matthew 2:16-18). But Joseph had fled with his family to Egypt beforehand (Matthew 2:13-15). After Herod’s death, Joseph and his family returned to Nazareth where Jesus grew up (Matthew 2:19-23). The Gospels describe Joseph as a carpenter (Matthew 13:55). Jesus likely worked alongside Joseph in the trade.
The only account of Jesus’ childhood comes from Luke 2:41-52 when Jesus was twelve years old. His family traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover feast where Jesus lingered in the temple listening to the teachers and astonishing people with his understanding. This account shows Jesus’ divine wisdom and obedience to His heavenly Father at an early age.
Jesus’ Baptism and Ministry
All four Gospels describe John the Baptist preaching repentance and baptizing people in the wilderness around the Jordan River in Judea (Matthew 3:1-12; Mark 1:1-8; Luke 3:1-20; John 1:19-28). John declared that one greater than him was coming. Jesus came to be baptized by John, and when he came out of the water, the Holy Spirit descended on Him like a dove and the voice of God the Father spoke from heaven affirming Jesus as His beloved Son (Matthew 3:13-17; Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22). This marked the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.
Jesus was about 30 years old when He was baptized and began His ministry (Luke 3:23). Most scholars place the date of Jesus’ baptism around AD 26 or 27 based on the timing of the reigns of various rulers mentioned in the Gospels and other historical records. Luke specifies John the Baptist’s ministry began in the 15th year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign (Luke 3:1-3), which historians date to around AD 28-29, indicating Jesus’ ministry likely began shortly before this.
After Jesus’ baptism, He spent 40 days fasting in the Judean wilderness where He was tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13). Jesus overcame the temptations by quoting Scripture. His responses modeled how believers can gain victory in the midst of temptation by standing on the Word of God.
Jesus then began preaching repentance, the kingdom of God, and performing various miracles such as healing the sick, driving out demons, and showing authority over nature. He called His first disciples – Peter, Andrew, James and John (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20). The initial focus of His ministry was in Galilee, particularly the towns of Capernaum, Cana, and Nazareth (Matthew 4:13-17; Luke 4:16-32). Word about Him began to spread as He taught with authority and worked miracles.
The Sermon on the Mount
One of Jesus’ longest sermons recorded in Scripture is known as the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew chapters 5-7 document this famous message preached near the Sea of Galilee. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expanded on the moral and ethical teachings found in the Law of Moses, calling His followers to embrace values like humility, righteousness, mercy, purity of heart, peacemaking, patience in suffering, and trusting God. This sermon contains many of Jesus’ most famous teachings like the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12), the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), and the Golden Rule (Matthew 7:12). The immense crowds following Jesus were amazed at the authority with which He spoke (Matthew 7:28-29).
Jesus’ Miracles and Parables
Throughout His ministry Jesus demonstrated His divine power through various miracles. These supernatural signs confirmed that the kingdom of God had arrived in Jesus. He turned water into wine at a wedding in Cana – the first of His signs (John 2:1-12). Jesus healed many people including Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever (Mark 1:29-31), a leper (Matthew 8:1-4), a centurion’s servant (Matthew 8:5-13), a paralytic (Mark 2:1-12), a man by a pool called Bethesda who was lame for 38 years (John 5:1-15), a man born blind (John 9:1-41), and the 10 lepers (Luke 17:11-19).
Jesus displayed power over the natural realm. He calmed a storm on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:35-41). He fed over 5,000 people with just five loaves and two fish (Matthew 14:15-21). He walked on water (Matthew 14:22-33). Demons were subject to His commands. He cast out many evil spirits and did not allow them to speak (Mark 1:25-26; 3:11-12). He raised three people from the dead during His ministry: Jairus’ daughter (Mark 5:35-43), the widow of Nain’s son (Luke 7:11-17), and Lazarus (John 11:1-44).
In His teaching, Jesus frequently used parables – simple, symbolic stories to communicate profound spiritual truths. Some of Jesus’ most well-known parables include the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-7), the Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-21), the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), and the Sower and the Soils (Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23). Jesus’ parables revealed deep insights about the kingdom of God and living according to God’s righteousness.
Opposition from Religious Leaders
As Jesus’ ministry grew, it met increasing opposition from Jewish religious leaders such as the Pharisees and Sadducees. They opposed Jesus’ claims of authority, His association with sinners and outcasts of society, and His violation of their strict traditions and rules, especially regarding the Sabbath (Mark 2:23-3:6; Luke 6:1-11; John 5:16-18). Jesus often directly challenged and exposed the hypocrisy of these religious elites (Matthew 23). They began conspiring for ways to silence and kill Jesus (Matthew 12:9-14; John 11:45-53). Nevertheless, Jesus boldly pressed on with His mission calling people to repent.
Later Judean and Perean Ministry
During Jesus’ ministry, He traveled throughout Galilee and made several trips to Jerusalem in Judea (John 2:13; 5:1; 7:10; 10:22-23). After increasing opposition from Galilean religious leaders, Jesus spent more time ministering in Judea, as people came to Him from all around (Matthew 19:1-2). Much of Jesus’ later Judean ministry occurred east of the Jordan River in Perea.
As Jesus traveled, He continued teaching God’s Word, rebuking sin, exposing false teaching, and confronting hypocrisy, especially among the religious elite. Yet Jesus never failed to show compassion. He welcomed and forgave sinners, brought healing and good news, and invited the weary and burdened to find true rest in Him (Matthew 9:35-38; 11:28-30).
Some key events during this phase include the feeding of the 4,000 (Matthew 15:32-39), declaring all foods clean (Mark 7:14-23), healing a blind man at Bethsaida (Mark 8:22-26), Transfiguration on the mountain (Matthew 17:1-13; Mark 9:2-13; Luke 9:28-36), teaching on divorce (Matthew 19:1-12; Mark 10:1-12), blessing the children (Matthew 19:13-15; Mark 10:13-16), encountering the rich young ruler (Matthew 19:16-30; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-30), and raising Lazarus (John 11:1-46). Jesus continued progressing toward Jerusalem where He would complete His mission.
Jesus’ Final Journey to Jerusalem
As Jesus’ public ministry reached its end, He resolutely set out for Jerusalem to fulfill His messianic mission, even though He knew suffering and death awaited Him there. Jesus predicted His death and resurrection multiple times, but the disciples did not understand (Matthew 16:21-28; 17:22-23; 20:17-19; Mark 8:31-38; 9:30-32; 10:32-34; Luke 9:22-27, 43b-45; 18:31-34).
Jesus traveled from Galilee along the east side of the Jordan through Perea until reaching Jericho. Many crowds following Him, hoping Jesus was headed to Jerusalem to establish His messianic kingdom (Luke 19:11). Jesus stayed at the house of Zacchaeus the tax collector in Jericho (Luke 19:1-10). As He approached Jerusalem near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples ahead to bring a donkey He would ride into the city, in fulfillment of Zechariah’s prophecy of the king coming humbly and riding on a colt (Matthew 21:1-11; Mark 11:1-11; Luke 19:28-44; John 12:12-19; Zechariah 9:9).
The crowds welcomed Jesus shouting “Hosanna!” as He entered Jerusalem. In the days that followed, Jesus cleansed the temple by driving out those buying and selling in it (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 19:45-46). He taught daily in the temple courts, engaged in debates with religious leaders trying to trap Him (Matthew 21:23 – 23:39; Mark 11:27 – 12:44; Luke 20:1 – 21:4), and delivered the Olivet Discourse on future events and His second coming as He overlooked Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives (Matthew 24-25; Mark 13; Luke 21:5-38).
The Last Supper
Jesus and His disciples traveled back into Jerusalem from Bethany and prepared to eat the Passover meal together – their last supper. Jesus washed His disciples feet demonstrating servant-leadership and humility (John 13:1-17).
As they ate the meal, Jesus broke bread and passed a cup of wine, identifying them as His body and blood, sacrificed for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20). This instituted the sacrament of communion which Jesus commanded believers to do in remembrance of Him.
Additionally, during this significant last meal together, Jesus comforted His disciples and warned Peter he would deny Him. He taught at length about the coming Helper – the Holy Spirit – and abiding in Christ (John 13:18 – 16:33). Jesus then interceded for all believers in His High Priestly Prayer (John 17).
Following the meal, Jesus and the disciples sang a hymn then departed for the Mount of Olives (Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26). Their final night together had come.
Betrayal and Arrest
After the Last Supper, Jesus took His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane to wait and pray that night. Jesus wrestled in fervent prayer asking His Father if this cup of suffering could pass, nevertheless submitting to the Father’s will (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-46).
As Jesus prayed, Judas Iscariot led a crowd to arrest Him. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss (Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:1-14). Taken before the Sanhedrin, Jesus was falsely accused and condemned to death, then sent to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor (Matthew 27:1-2; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66 – 23:1; John 18:28-38). An angry mob demanded Pilate crucify Jesus, so Pilate appeased them and sentenced Jesus to die by crucifixion (Matthew 27:15-31; Mark 15:6-20; Luke 23:13-25; John 18:39 – 19:16).
Crucifixion and Burial
After being severely beaten and flogged, Jesus was led away to be crucified. Nailed to a cross between two criminals, Jesus willingly laid down His life (Matthew 27:32-56; Mark 15:21-41; Luke 23:26-49; John 19:16-37). Although completely innocent, He suffered and died bearing the sins of the world. As He hung on the cross, Jesus spoke seven final sayings before giving up His spirit.
Since it was preparation day before the Sabbath, Jesus’ body was taken down quickly and buried in a nearby tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the Sanhedrin who had not consented to Jesus’ conviction (Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42). A massive stone sealed the tomb entrance where Jesus’ body lay.
Resurrection and Ascension
On the morning after the Sabbath during the Festival of Firstfruits, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary visited Jesus’ tomb but found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Suddenly Jesus appeared to the women and told them to go tell the disciples He had risen from the dead as He said (Matthew 28:1-10; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18).
That resurrection Sunday, Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene in the garden (Mark 16:9-11; John 20:11-18), to other women who had come from Galilee (Matthew 28:9-10), to two disciples traveling to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32), and to the disciples gathered in Jerusalem behind locked doors where Thomas doubted until he touched Jesus’ wounds himself (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-29). Later Jesus appeared to seven of the disciples by the Sea of Galilee (John 21).
Over a forty day period between His resurrection and ascension, Jesus appeared many times to His followers, proving He had conquered death and Sin, commissioning them as eyewitnesses, and promising the coming Holy Spirit (Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:3-8). Jesus then ascended into heaven as His disciples watched from the Mount of Olives. Two angels appeared and promised Jesus would return just as He had left (Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:9-11).
Significance of Jesus’ Life
Jesus came to fulfill God’s promises of a Messiah who would save humanity from sin and restore our broken relationship with God. His miraculous birth, perfect life, powerful teaching, incredible miracles, unjust suffering, atoning death, defeat of Satan, and glorious resurrection accomplished God’s purposes at just the right time (Romans 5:6; Galatians 4:4-5; 1 Peter 1:20).
Through His life, death and resurrection, Jesus inaugurated the kingdom of God on earth. He lived the perfect life we could not, died the sinner’s death we deserved, then rose victorious over sin and death as the firstfruits of a new creation. Jesus is now seated with God the Father in glory and intercedes for believers as our great High Priest (Romans 8:34).
All who repent of their sin and believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are reconciled to God and receive eternal life through Him (John 3:16-18). We can walk in newness of life through God’s Spirit who empowers us to follow Jesus’ teachings and example. At His second coming, Jesus will complete God’s mission to defeat all evil and establish His eternal kingdom of love, joy and peace.